Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are looking for investors in Liverpool while rivals Manchester United are seeking a sale of the club.
The club are looking to sign new players as the search for investment from FSG continues. It was more than 8 months ago since FSG made their decision to place the Reds on the market.
After the news emerged last November, it was unclear whether the American-based group was leading towards a full or partial sale.
However, principal owner John Henry has since confirmed that FSG are seeking to sell a stake in the club that they purchased in 2010 for £300m.
Talks with potential parties have occurred, Henry confirmed to the Boston Sports Journal. But while the likes of F1 owners Liberty Media have been linked, there has yet to be any concrete deal struck.
FSG looking for investors for Liverpool
After publicly looking out for investors 8 months ago, the American-based owners encountered a similar situation with rivals, Man Utd. The Glazer family put the Red Devils up for sale – and a takeover process has ensued since.
After several months of bids, there are two main front-runners to purchase the Old Trafford outfit. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the possible buyers.
At the start of June, Sheikh Jassim reportedly made a fifth take-it-or-leave-it offer believed to be in excess of £5 billion. It has been suggested that the Glazers are holding out for £6 billion.
Meanwhile, as the new 2023-24 Premier League season approaches, there seems little movement. United co-chairman Avram Glazer watched the Red Devils train during their pre-season tour in the USA.
He refused to answer questions when approached before a 2-0 win over Arsenal last Saturday.
“I’m just here to enjoy the game.”
And given the dragged-out process, football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes both Sheikh and Ratcliffe will be becoming frustrated.
“The behaviour of the Glazers is of no surprise in terms of silence followed by silence.
The lack of progress in the deal has certainly frustrated the camps of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim. We are starting to see a drop in the share price as every day goes by without any news.
It has turned Manchester United into a soap opera off the field, whereas fans would much rather be concentrating on matters on the field. There is no evidence that they have reduced the budget this summer, but a new owner definitely could have enhanced it and many will view that as a lost opportunity.”
I’m a football enthusiast and an avid writer and someone who lives by the Bill Shankly quote, on a day to day basis.
